Grammy voters are likely to be “choosin’” Ella Langley in several categories in the upcoming 69th Grammy nominations, but there’s one category in which her name likely won’t appear: best new artist.
Langley was entered in that category in each of the last three years. Current Grammy rules stipulate that an artist can be entered no more than three times in the category.
Another red-hot country artist, Megan Moroney, may be ineligible for the same reason.
Rapper Ken Carson and R&B singer Ravyn Lenae may also be ineligible. They were entered in each of the last two years as well as at the 2023 ceremony.
Here’s the rule, from the 68th Grammy Awards Rules & Guidelines handbook (the one for the upcoming 69th Grammy Awards has not yet been published): “An artist may not enter into this Category more than three times, including as a performing member of an established group.”
Three of these artists have landed No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. Carson hit No. 1 in April 2025 with his fourth studio album, More Chaos. Moroney hit No. 1 in March 2026 with her third studio album, Cloud 9. Langley hit No. 1 in April 2026 with her second studio album, Dandelion.
Carson has released four studio albums, two mixtapes, five EPs, 15 singles (including four as a featured artist) and 20 music videos. But the Recording Academy no longer has a maximum number of releases an artist can have before they are thrown out.
Here’s the rule: “While there will be no specified maximum number of releases, the Screening Committees will be charged with determining whether the artist had attained a breakthrough or prominence prior to the eligibility year. Such a determination would result in disqualification.”
Also not eligible, per the rulebook: “Any artist with a previous Grammy nomination as a performer, including a nomination as an established member of a nominated group.”
First-round voting for the 69th Grammy Awards will be held from Oct. 12 to Oct. 22. Nominations will be announced on Nov. 16. Final-round voting will be held from Dec. 10 to Jan. 7, 2027. The awards will be presented on Feb. 7, 2027 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Olivia Dean is the reigning best new artist winner. The other seven nominees at this year’s ceremony were KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young.
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